Compressed lossless encoding isn't new. But doing it while the music is playing - so-called "real-time" compression and expansion - has been very difficult. The encode-decode, or codec, system needed for such a sophisticated method requires a lot of computer power, too.
The only other lossless audio compression method, available for Windows, Mac OS, Mac OS X and Linux, is FLAC, which stands for free lossless audio codec. FLAC is sometimes used by bands that want to release their music on the Internet but don't want to compromise on audio quality.
Apple avoided using FLAC in part because its own method would be able to maintain control over music copying if it were used for iTunes Music Store audiophile releases. I'm just guessing, but I expect Apple to add lossless audiophile albums to the iTunes Store before long. [Syracuse Post-Standard]
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